Meet Ben Edmunds of DPC Spot

Hey, I’m Ben from DPC Spot. We have been helping DPC practices create their websites, build a web presence, and connect with patients for over 7 years now. In this blog post, I will outline several options for creating your website, along with the potential trade-offs of each option.

Direct Primary Care (DPC) practices are a truly personal type of healthcare and as such, require a unique approach to their web presence and lead generation.

DPC is Personal

The reason for a patient to choose DPC differs from traditional practices. You provide a personal relationship with your patients, and in return, they trust you with their family's health. That relationship starts as soon as a potential patient lands on your website. The purpose of your website isn't just about lead generation; it's about educating patients on the advantages of the direct primary care model and building that trust with them.

In this article we'll walk through the technical aspects of creating a website as well as the relationship building that your website can provide with your patients.

Choosing a Domain Name

Your domain name is often your first connection to your patients.  It should be both descriptive and easy to remember.  I recommend that you choose a ".com" domain, even if that means you'll need to go with a longer URL, because most people will look for a ".com" first.  Also, describing a location is often more memorable if you're operating under your own name, whereas using a practice name is even better,

For example:

• "CentralAustinDPC.com" is a better choice than "AustinDoc.xyz" because it's easy to remember and easy to search for.
• "AustinFamilyCare.com" is a better choice than "JohnDorianMd.com" because patients will remember the city but often might not remember your name.

Creating your Website

Let's walk through some of the most popular options for creating your website.

Hands-on Website Builders

Options in this category are platforms like Squarespace and Wix. With hands-on website builders, you are able to create your website with fine-grained control over the end result.

Pros:

• Fine-grained control
• Template options
• Variety of design elements
• Cheapest option

Cons:

• Complicated editors
• Basic web development knowledge required
• Lack of support

DPC Specific Website Engines

There's only one option in this category that I'm aware of, and I do have a bias here because it's DPC Spot. With a DPC-specific website engine, you're able to create a website specifically tailored to DPC practices with little to no knowledge of web development.

Pros:

• Tailored to DPC practices
• Easy to get started with a simple admin dashboard
• Real human support included
• Mid-line pricing

Cons:

• Fewer custom options available
• Advanced customizations require (included) human support

Agency Designed

This category has many different providers available. I recommend contracting with a local web agency that comes well referred. It can be difficult to find a trustworthy agency, but once you do, you'll end up with the best design for your specific needs.

Pros:

• Custom made to your specific needs
• Vast design options
• Personal touch throughout

Cons:

• Can be difficult to find the right fit / level of professionalism
• Most expensive option
• Customizations are slower (and can be expensive)

Which Option Should You Go With?

Choosing the right option for creating your practice's website depends on various factors, including your budget, level of technical expertise, and specific needs. Here’s a breakdown to help you make an informed decision:

If you're comfortable with a DIY approach and want fine-grained control over your website within a tight budget, a hands-on website builder might be the way to go. However, be prepared to invest some time in learning the platform and basic web development concepts.

DPC Specific Website Engines (e.g., DPC Spot):

Opting for a DPC-specific website engine like DPC Spot offers the advantage of tailored solutions without requiring extensive web development knowledge. With easy setup and real human support included, it strikes a balance between customization and affordability. Consider this option if you prioritize simplicity and specialized features.

Agency Designed:

Engaging a web agency provides the benefit of professional, custom-made designs tailored to your specific requirements. While this option offers the most flexibility and personalization, it also tends to be the most expensive and time-consuming. Choose this route if you have a larger budget and value unique, high-quality design.

Ultimately, weigh the pros and cons of each option against your practice's needs and resources. Whether you prefer hands-on control, specialized features, or bespoke design, there's an option that aligns with your goals and budget. Don't hesitate to reach out to providers for consultations or demos to better understand which solution best fits your vision.

Building Trust Through Your Website

Your website is more than just a digital billboard; it's the gateway to building trust and forging lasting relationships with your patients. By creating your DPC practice website, you're laying the foundation for meaningful connections that extend beyond the digital realm.

Whether you opt for a hands-on website builder, a DPC-specific website engine, or engage a web agency, prioritize elements that foster trust and reflect the personalized nature of DPC. From informative content about the direct primary care model to telling your own story, to intuitive navigation and responsive design, every aspect of your website should speak to the unique experience you offer to your patients.

Personal Connection

You'll want to tell your personal story through your website in order to build a connection with your patients.  This can be done on your home page, in your bio, or ideally throughout your entire site.  You'll want to include things like

• Your Journey to Healthcare
• Why You Chose DPC
• Your Family Life

Education

Patients often need education on the DPC model, how it's different, and the benefits it provides to them.  Address this early on your homepage.  This can be very detailed or it can be short with links to further learning materials.  The goal is for them to be informed and feel comfortable that DPC is a better choice for their needs than traditional models.

Testimonials

You might not have these when first launching your practice but as soon as you have a few happy patients I recommend getting testimonials from them.  Don't worry about these being too polished, you want this to be real people using their own langauge to describe how happy they are to have found you.  This builds credibility and familiarity with you.

Transparency

Be transparent and direct with your pricing.  Simple, easy to understand pricing models convert the best and result in the happiest patients.  You want your patients to be able to calculate their family's all-in pricing at a glance.

Complicated pricing tends to scare away potential patients, especially if they are unfamiliar with the DPC model.

Make it Easy to Sign Up or Get In Touch

You want to make it as easy as possible to sign up as a member, schedule appointments, and generally get in touch.  Some patients will email or call but the majority want to progress via your website in real-time.

Examples of making this easy are:

• Appointment scheduling via a calendar integration or directly in your EHR software
• Member Sign Up via integration with your EHR's patient portal
• Contact information readily available in multiple places including your phone number, address, and email address

Be Yourself

Lastly, be authentically yourself throughout your site.  This includes the pictures you use, the text where you tell your story, and even down to your practice name.  Patients choose DPC in order to have real human connection with their provider.  Don't be afraid to let them see the human side of you; really show that you're different from the big box healthcare providers out there.

Embrace the opportunity to create a website that serves as an extension of your practice, showcasing your personality, and embodying your values.

Launch Day!

Here's to the launch of your DPC practice, where meaningful relationships are forged, where you have control of your time, and where patients receive better care!